A new lifestyle experience has quietly entered Eswatini’s social scene bringing a different kind of energy to the social sphere of the country. Every Thursday evening, Only Make Waves will be hosting the Night Cap Series at Mountain View Hotel’s Pool Side Terrace, in Mbabane. The event marks the beginning of what co-founder Msimisi Dlamini describes as a new way of connecting music, business, and lifestyle.
But Night Cap is not just another social gathering.
Dlamini is introducing a concept that has not been common in Eswatini before, putting music producers and creators at the forefront. In many events today, organisers often book personalities for fame, even if they are not actively producing music. Night Cap changes that narrative.
“We want this series to put artists, producers of their own at the forefront, those still committed to the art and who are the ones shaping the sound that comes out of Eswatini, creating a culture where talent and skill matter more than hype”
The idea is simple but intentional: create a weekly Thursday space where producers lead the musical experience, while guests enjoy meaningful networking in a relaxed setting.
The soft launch hosted on the 12th of February, wanted to showcase this vision to guests and artists in the room. Entrepreneurs, creatives and corporates, shared conversations overlooking the city skyline. The evening felt purposeful, not rushed, not noisy, designed for real connection.
“As Only Make Waves we are grateful that this took off well at the soft Launch and the support we were shown by guests and the different partners in place that made this possible. We look forward to weekly mixers with the majority of background music served by it’s creators”
Creative Direction Backed by International Experience
The weekly networking Series is co-founded by Msimisi Nakiso Dlamini of Only Make Waves, a creative platform founded in 2023 together with Wandile Mawelela “Nocktik” right in Eswatini. The platform focuses on artist development and aims to connect creativity, technology and global opportunity. Through Only Make Waves, Dlamini works to support artists across different disciplines, not just music, while building bridges between the local and international arts community, first of its kind in the Kindgom.
Dlamini brings over 10 years of experience in music production, mastering, curation and technology. He has worked with international partners such as Proton Sound System in the United States, AWS as a start-up partner, and Human Mastering studio in Germany. His music has premiered under Anjuna Deep, and he collaborated with Moodfamily on his most recent released EP, ‘In Sepia’.
Locally, he has served as a resident DJ at Malandelas Lifestyle and is currently working with A Peculiar People on The Night Cap, while also contributing to the Made in Eswatini Consumer Fair as a visual identity designer.
As a producer first, Dlamini has produced and mastered music for artists including Nocktik, Secret Souls, Pushguy and Sebee, with releases under Antidote Music, Mouth and Orange, Deepstiched and Only Make Waves. He has also mastered music for Lekronik, Tribal Natives, Kalulu and Mazozo. In addition to his music work, he is a graphic designer and IT professional focused on software development, web development and tech systems.
“The Night Cap is a natural extension of the work we do at Only Make Waves, bringing together music, technology, creativity and people in one space. That is what we believe in, building platforms that create opportunity.”
Partners Anchor the Vision
The growth of The Night Cap Series is supported by a group of partners who each contribute to its wider impact beyond entertainment: Mountain View Hotel (commonly known as Mountain Inn). Shelela Gin and A Peculiar People.
Leap Taxi App joined the Series as a mobility partner, helping to ensure ease of access to the venue and safe transport for guests. During the launch, Director Vusani Matsebula described the platform as an economic empowerment programme for young people.
He said the company had 52 registered drivers in 2025, with 31 actively operating, and that drivers generated nearly E1.5 million in revenue without commission deductions. He added that Leap Taxi will soon introduce food and parcel delivery services, creating further opportunities for licensed vehicles, scooters and motorbikes.
“Through Leap Taxi, taxi drivers could have generated between E6 million and E7 million in 2025 alone, based on the fact that there are often more requests than drivers. The youth should really take advantage and reach out to register as a driver, it’s flexible and you are your own boss. The demand is there. The technology is there. The market is ready,”
Shelela Gin partnered as the official beverage sponsor, contributing to the curated cocktail experience that defined the evening’s lifestyle atmosphere. Organisers said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting local brands and strengthening Eswatini’s hospitality industry.
Creative agency, A Peculiar People also partnered on the initiative. Director Melusi Zox Dlamini emphasised the importance of celebrating Swazi identity within modern spaces.
“This is a space where Swazi culture can meet modern lifestyle. It allows tourism, business, and the arts to grow together. This is the right time to start and the concept fits a longstanding gap for Eswatini.”
Mountain View Hotel supported the event as venue and accommodation partner, providing the setting that allowed the concept to come to life. The involvement of hospitality, transport, beverage and creative industry partners signals that The Night Cap Series connects entertainment with economic empowerment, tourism growth and cultural development.
Organisers say the weekly Thursday platform will create consistent opportunities for collaboration and professional networking. If sustained, the concept could influence how producers and creatives are recognised in Eswatini, while also building stronger links between business and culture.
